Guánica, the town of the twelve streets

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Guánica

Guánica is a municipality in southwestern Puerto Rico located on southern coast, bordering the Caribbean Sea, south of Sabana Grande, east of Lajas, and west of Yauco.

Guánica is also the name of the principal town of the municipality. The town's population in 2000 was 9,247 persons among 3,808 housing units over a land area of 2.49 square miles (6.45 km²). The town is located on a deeply indented harbor of the same name. The harbor resembles a tropical fjord, narrow and bordered by rugged hills, barely a quarter-mile wide, but about two miles (3 km) from mouth to the town. The town is about 100 miles (160 km) and over two hours driving distance from San Juan, the capital city of the island, and about 20 miles (30 km) west of Ponce, another principal city of the island commonwealth.

Today

Guánica is a modern town that maintains roots and connections to a traditional past. Known as el pueblo de la amistad (the friendly town), is also occasionally referred to as el pueblo de las doce calles (the town of the twelve streets). The central part of town consists of five streets running north-south crossing seven other streets that run east-west, resulting in a compact grid of 24 square blocks, one of which is the town plaza. Facing the plaza is the Catholic church, city hall, a school, and many shops; the plaza itself contains greenery, walks, and a music stand. In recent years this central area of the twelve streets has been extensively supplemented by suburbs in the south and west. Hills surround the town and harbor, including the 450-foot (140 m) hill to the east of town, itself topped by the tiny Fort Caprón. Two large factories, one producing fertilizer, partially distract the eye from the pleasant landscape, but both have been important to the economy of the town, at one time dominated by the sugar plantations of Guánica's Central. The resort chain known as Club Med once attempted to set up a luxury resort on beaches east of the town, but withdrew due to local opposition which was apprehensive about both environmental and community degradation; east of the town some 200 acres (0.8 km²) of land, including three miles (5 km) of beach, have been intermittently for sale. It is a fishing village. Commercial fishermen still ply their traditional trade beyond the harbor entrance.

Tourism

Landmarks and places of interest

Azul Beach
Ballena Bay
Caprón Fortress
Cayo Aurora, Gilligan's Island
El Malecón (Boardwalk)
Farmacia Quesada
Guánica Bay
Guánica Hacienda
Manglillo Beach
Mary Lee's By the Sea
Mimi's Guest House
Old Lighthouse
Playa Santa Beach
Playa Rosada Beach
Punta de Brea
Punta Jorobao
Santa Rita Hacienda
Serra Beach
Central Guánica (Sugar Cane Refinery)

Festivals and events

Fish Festival - April
Patron Festivities - Julio
July 25 Parade - July
Juan Ponce de León Celebration - August

Comments

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